Taratarini Temple is a famous shrine located in the Kumari Hills in Ganjam District. It is about 30 km from Ganjam and 30 km towards the north of Berhampur. Located on the banks of the Rushikulya River near Purushottampur, the goddess here is Tara-Tarini, the twin sister deity.
The temple can be reached by a flight of 999 steps on the front side of the hill. There is also a road for the vehicles at the back side of the hill to reach the temple. The charming scenery from the hill top gives immense pleasure.
The temple celebrates the Tara Tarini Mela on each Tuesday of the month of Chaitra (March – April). This event attracts thousands of devotees from far and near who throng the place to have a darshan of Goddess Tara-Tarini. Sankranti Mela on Sankranti day of every month and other festivals are also celebrated in a grand manner. Devotees come to Tara Tarini Temple to offer the first bunch of Hair of the newborns with a hope that the Goddess will protect the newborns from all evils.
By road, Taratarini Temple can be approached from Jagannathpur, which is about 22 km. The nearest railway station is at Berhampur (32 km) on the East Coast Railway en route Howrah–Chennai.
